The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1887-08-04

to Congress. He knows that every circuit
and county Judge in the State is Demo-
cratic partizan appointment. He knows
that majority of the school boards are
composed, as general rule, of Democrat
ic partiZans, and that the public schools
are now part of the Democratic machine
ry. He knows that every charitable instl-
tuition is under the domination of partiZan
boards, appointed by the Governor, and
that each and every one of them is con-
trolled by partiZan considerations He
knows that the infamous Anderson-Mc-
Cormicz electoral law was designed and is
used when occasion requires it, to defraud
the people of their rights and defeat their
honest ballot The case now pending in
Stafford county. right under his own nose,
illustrates the use that is made of this
wicked piece of Democratic legislation.
With the fearful record of Mr.. Barbour's
party on the very points he raises, and the
knowledge which the people possess OF the
abuse of power the Democratic party has
been guilty of, it is wonder that this pri-
vate letter was ever exposed to the light
of day. There is not an offen3e that he
insinuates might be committed by the Re
publicans were they in power, that his own
party has not already perpetrated. There
is no stretch of power it has not reached
| to encompass party ends. 1t has inflicted
upon the State partizan judiciary, parti-
zan school board, partizan election laws
and partizan election officers. Recently in
Albemarle, the intent Of this partizan leg
islation was illustrated by the election Of
icers refusing to allow Republican to
witness the count of the ballots in close
election for county clerk, where Re-
publican was successful. There could be no
fair and honest motive in this, and it is
significant of the tactics of the party for
which Mr.. Barbour speaks.
1t may be fairly assumed, in view of the
publication of this private letter from the
Chairman of the Democratic State Com
mittee, at this time, that it is intended as
a pointer for the State Convention which
convenes in Roanoke today. There
will be no manly, straightforward posi-
sition announced on the debt question:
Upon all the essential, practical issues af-
fecting the interests of the people, there
will be evasion or pretenSe OF candor
which past experience will condemn as
deceptious, and the policy recommended
and encouraged of repeating as far as pos
sible, the campaign of 1883. But the peO-
pie have not been asleep. nor are
they ignorant of tine condition OF the
State, as the result of Republican leg
islation in the session of 1S777S and ISL
50, and that which has resulted from the
legislation of the Democratic party since
I 1888. They know the difference. They
appreciate the relief that Republican leg
islation and administration brought tc
them, and the blunders, confusion, wrongs
and outrages inflicted upon them by the
Democratic party. They are prepared tt
enter Judgment. AID will do so, in spite Of
. false and wicked appeals, deceptive state
ments, and affected concern for their well
; fare by a party that has betrayed every
, trust coniided to it, and seriously i'm
r paired every interest it was its duty tt
care for.
We regret that party necessities have
impelled Mr. Barbour to outline cam
paign such as his letter justifies US in con
: Guiding will be adopted. 1t will not onl!
I be misfortune to the State, but to Mr.
5 Barbour himself, for whom we have thu
: kindest personal feeling. He will neve
succeed in reaching the object of his am
r bition, by any such methods or resorts a!
: were plainly in his mind when he wrote
{ to his Accomac friend. He has not KEEP
, pace with the thought of the people o.
> acquainted himself with public senti
{: ment growing out of events and occur
/ rences since the iniquities of the cam
= paign of 1888. He will find different
= temper to deal with. and different cOndl
: tons to confront. The people are in dea(
g earnest about practical things, and will
:; not be carried away by a hip, hurrah,
e or lose their senses in storm of excite
: ment, but will rebuke the leaders anG
f; their strikers who may seek to direct
public attention from the things that per
r tain to the general welfare. 1t would be
well enough for Mr.. Barbour and his party
to make note Of this.